"He's Chuck. Another... brother. He comes... from a place that is not of here. They speak differently there. He just wants to go home... though Eurantian said that the Gods would sort that out somehow if he did not" said Sam... still not certain about putting on the ring. Drek said she had as good a claim of wearing it as anyone... but to the humble daughter of a common hunter it was a tad hard to realize it.

Specially when she had so many siblings who seemed more fit for it... and two which had already declared their wish for it. No, she would not slip it on her finger. Not in front of her... siblings before they got a chance to sort things out. So, she slipped the ring securely into a pocket on the inside of her jacket, keeping the artifact close to her heart.

Chuck, hearing what Sam was saying, said: "Sam, I guess I should explain who I am and where I come from. In my world I was a special kind of soldier. I worked for a secret organization that deals with unusual threats to national security. When Eruantian arrived in my world with that magic ring of his, he was chasing Lloth. Lloth was trying to open a portal to my world so she could invade it. At first, my superiors thought Eruantian was the threat so my squad was sent in to detain him. When we found him, though, he'd already found Lloth and she'd already opened portal to my world. Eruantian explained who he was and why he was there. Since Lloth was clearly the threat and not Eruantian, I decided to side with Eruantian. We fought Lloth and her minions, and defeated them, but Loth retreated through the portal and Eruantian followed her though. Then the portal closed and we thought we were done with them. Shortly thereafter, though, the portal re-opened and I got sent through with my squad to close it from this side. I ended up not far from here, in this town, where some Drow magicians had opened that portal. We killed those magicians, which closed the portal, but the rest of my squad were killed and now I'm stranded in this world. I used up most of my [bullets] in that fight, and I used up the rest of my [rifle] [bullets] fighting those giant spiders. All I have left now is this [grenade] and my [pistol] with two [clips]."

[GM's Note: Because certain things are as-yet-unknown in the game setting, Mal's spell can't translate words for which there is no analog in Common. So, the words in square brackets above are not being translated, and Sam can't understand them. She knows that Chuck is using nouns there, but that's all she knows about those words. Also, Chuck isn't from our modern world: He's a from a world where technology is about at the level of the early 1950's. Chuck's pistol is a M1911 semi-automatic pistol, .45 caliber. Each clip holds 7 rounds. His rifle is an M1 Garand, but it's out of ammo.]

Drek said to James: "Hmm.. he's got a lot of fight in him, doesn't he James? Alright, pick him up. We'll take him to a bed somewhere. There has to be an inn around here somewhere. Sam, tell Chuck to go into the tower. The mages in there can probably help him get back home. I mean, if Lloth's mages could open a portal to his world, Micheal's mages should be able to do the same, right?"

Seilsiaria then said: "Yes, they should be able to do that, but someone will have to explain to them who he is and where he is from."

Drek said: "Someone who knows magic... like you."

Seilsiaria hesitated, but she quickly realized Drek was right; Even though the tower-mages could probably figure out what to do on their own, having someone on hand who both knows magic and knows who Chuck is would speed things up quite a bit. So, she nodded and said: "Aye, like me. Very well, I will do as you suggest, my prince."

Drek almost sighed in exasperation, but he restrained himself, and just said: "I told you, I'm not a prince anymore. Just call me Drek, or Barron Drek if you must. Sam, tell Chuck to go with Seilsiaria into the tower so the mages there can get him back to his world."

Sam nodded her head and then walked over to Chuck. The girl then explained how he would be able to get back to his home if he went to the tower... and then as a goodbye she shook the man's hand, looking him straight to the eyes.

"Goodbye Chuck"

She left unspoken her wish to be able to meet him again under better circumstances.

"I am Mellara, Storm Druid of the great Oakfather. I was sent by my people to assist in the battle against the rogue Goddess and her abominations" said Mellara as she took a small bow, a smile on her face "It is a pleasure to meet you, Ranger Drek"

"Indeed, it seems like we both change the skins we wear, even if we do it in different ways. I'm afraid that at the moment I would find it very arduous indeed to change once again... though a good rest ought to give me back my energies. That is, if it's coupled with a filled belly" says Mellara.

Drek said: "Well met and welcome, Druid Mellara. If it is a rest and a meal you desire, you are welcome to join us as we seek an Inn... if we can find an Inn. Hrm... I seem to remember there being one that way...." Drek pointed down a street and started walking.

"Mine comes from my communion with nature, my studies of its ways and the power of the Oakfather... though we can better discuss our conversation on the inn Drek speaks off" said Mellara as she started to follow the ranger.

Drek raised and eyebrow and was going to say no, but seeing how Kalan risked his life to fight Lloth, the demon and the dragon, Drek decided to hear Kalan out before making a decision. So, he replied to Kalan with: "That depends. Why do you want him dead?"

"He turned me into what I am today, a tool to be used." Kalan responded "But that's not the main reason. He killed her, the Girl with No Name, and now he's most likely hunting me, he thinks if an investment like his son is would just vanish like that."

Drek's face took on a deadly serious look, and he said to Kalan: "I see. Perhaps I can help you, but I must make one thing absolutely clear first: If you seek revenge, I can not help you find it. Revenge is a poison that corrupts men's souls, drives men mad, and turns even the pure and the righteous into evil monsters. Those who seek revenge become the monster they sought to slay, and I will have no part of that sort of madness. If that is what you seek, then you have come to the wrong man. However, if it is justice you seek, then you have come to the right man. And one more thing: The line between justice and revenge is a fine line; Be sure you know what side of that line you are on. Is that understood?"

Cecilia said to Sam: "So... I take it you spoke to Eruantian... and that he's trapped in the ring with Lloth. And that... that he's your real father as well as mine?"

Meanwhile, Aaron had partly returned to consciousness. He'd been dreaming about something nice, but when he tried to remember what it was, the image slipped away in his mind. Now he could hear people talking and he felt like he was moving, but wasn't sure if this was still a dream or not.... a dream where you know you're dreaming but you can't control the dream. However, he couldn't see anything, and he knew that his dreams usually included at last some imagery, which made him think that perhaps this wasn't a dream. He tried to open his eyes, but everything stayed black, as if his eyes had refused to open... which was odd because they felt like they were open. His mouth felt dry, but it felt like he could move his mouth and his tongue.

Mal, Gerrard and Deimos fell in at the rear of the party, while Eeisendrik remained on his horse, back at the tower.

[GM's Note: Arron's eyes are actually open, it's just that his brain hasn't decided that it's up to the task of making use of them quite yet. And for those of you who've been paying attention, yes: Arron is recovering incredibly fast from spellcaster's fatigue. In fact, he may have just set a new world record.]

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